In this mornings article, I mentioned an industry veteran I had spoken with over the phone. I have to let the cat out of the bag now and let you know that this veteran is George Dooley, an independent travel writer of some 35 years who wanted an exclusive on the Convention. George and I first spoke a few years ago when he interviewed me surrounding the dueling blogs between myself (Pro YTB) and John Frenaye (Con YTB)

Little did I know that George has kept up with my blog over the years, and I think it’s safe to say he’s a fan of my work here on Just Picture It Now. He writes in today’s exclusive interview with me:

“YTB International’s annual convention opens this week at the America’s Center in St Louis, with 5,800 plus YTB agents and representatives expected. Among them will be Doug Bauknight, one of YTB’s most articulate defenders who has stood by YTB in good times and bad. Bauknight’s web site, www.justpictureitnow.com, is available to help interested parties understand the ever-controversial YTB and its future.”

On Monday, George contacted me to write this piece. While driving home from dropping off my kids so Ronda and I could come to Convention George and talked at length about the industry and YTB. George was very open and honest with his positioning of this piece and also granted me an opportunity to view the first draft to ensure accuracy of my quotes and view of YTB.

I’ve poured my heart into YTB and this blog for the last 4 years. As I have grown as a writer and entrepreneur I can’t tell you how humbling it is to have a veteran like George not only recognize me, but contact me for this exclusive interview. On top of his accolades Ronda and I have been stopped by other YTB Agents here at the Convention countless times so far to thank us for the work we have done on this blog and for our weekly newsletter.

This interview which posted today is icing on the cake, and we’ve been here for less than 24 hours.

Please feel free to read this interview in it’s entirety here and pass it around as much as you like to show the credibility of YTB.

And George…thank you. I know you put yourself out there for ridicule when taking a pro YTB stance. I appreciate it, and the company appreciates it.

Your Friend and Fans,

Doug & Ronda

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Last year at this time California dropped a nice little present upon entering the 2008 Convention with a well timed lawsuit claiming YTB was a gigantic pyramid scheme. Now that’s it’s a year later, California is settled, and the meritless class action that followed California’s claims by a couple of ambulance chasers has been thrown out, we find ourselves back in St. Louis for another YTB Convention.

The ploy from the very beginning from critics was that these suits were designed to shut YTB down. We saw these comments all year long.

I suspect that after 18 months of “negotiating” and 7 months of discovery, they are pretty well versed on YTB.

However, I do think that this might never see a trial. YTB will continue to go through the motions of “defending” this “meritless” suit and then call it quits at the last minute.

CA will have achieved their primary goal of shutting them down. Then the class actions and the California suits will need to determine if they want to proceed against Tomer Tomer and Sorensen individually.

Of course, now that we’re on the other side of this smear campaign, none of them “recall” ever making such claims and they want us to dig up the quotes in order to save face. (Convenient huh?) Problem is, I have a complete file of links with claims just like this. They come in mighty handy now that they’re attempting to slither out of any responsibility of making such redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter.

When the Convention was announced and open enrollment began, some questioned if it was wise to make plans for something they never thought would materialize. It’s no secret that they have no faith in the model, or our founders, and put an enormous amount of faith in mere accusations that we now know couldn’t pass mustard when it came to actual legal backing.

So here we are, the morning of YTBU and a plethora of classes designed to educate, train, and motivate anyone who has a desire to better themselves. Courses include:

• Charting Successful Group Cruises
• Business Ownership vs. Business Opportunity
• Building Momentum through Travel Parties
• Travel Booking Made Simple
• Mental Scripts: Change Your Mind, Change Your Money
• Put Your Website To Work For You
• Don’t Be Undersold – Understand Cruise Pricing and Amenities
• Rewards of Educational Student Travel
• Power of Oneness – Millionaire Marriage
• Alaska 101
• Keys to Unlocking your YTB Vault
• Travel Insurance..How it Benefits You and Your Clients
• The Features & Benefits of Selling Cruise Vacations
• Making money with shopYTB
• Destinations and Princess Cruises
• Step by Step Travel Training
• Let Golf Vacation Travel Increase Your Gross
• YTB’s 2020 Vision and Why Belief, Edification and G.U.T.S. are Key.

In years past, YTBU has been the building block for our business and we always learn something new each year as both we and the classes have evolved.

I was talking to an industry veteran earlier in the week over the phone. I mentioned how many show up for this event each year. While we don’t have actual numbers at this time, I told this veteran that in years past YTB has hosted thousands of Website Sellers and Website Owners each year both here in St. Louis and then again in Orlando for our Funshine Travel Trade Show. He asked about how many “thousands”, and when I told him that it’s grown from 3000 to 18,000 over the previous three years, he gasped. Reason being is that those numbers are far greater than what the entire industry can produce for a single event. (And YTB does it with as one company.)

YTB ALWAYS produces the largest number of potential business for the industry. I even caught a report this morning how 50-60% of the participants for the CLIA training last week in Atlanta was YTB. Of course, the story is simply opinion and slanted with disrespect with stories that can never be proven. Even the percentage that was there) But once again we see notations that speak of YTB showing up in force when suppliers and associations host travel shows and events in an attempt to produce revenue.

By the way…this 50-60% being just YTB…Makes me wonder if they still think the pyramid is crumbling?

Nevertheless, suppliers are responding in kind as they see evidence in both the numbers YTB produces at these events in regards to Agents and the numbers YTB produces for their bottom line in regard to gross revenue. (They read Travel Weekly’s Power List too.) I took a look around at the supplier booths last night when we were registering for Convention. Here’s a list of suppliers that will most likely be at both here and at Funshine at the end of September.

• Carnival
• Holland America Line
• Honeymoonwishes
• Princess Cruises
• Cunard
• Spring Worldwide Tours
• Travelocity Partner Network
• Travel Guard
• Worldwide Golf Vacations
• American Destinations

Of course we have other vendors such as Staples, Vistaprint, Commonwealth Card Services, and Sprint who also offer services as a business owner. And this isn’t even our “Travel” show.

It appears that none of these vendors bought into what other overzealous critics had to say either. Truth of the matter is, YTB produces revenue for these companies, and if they’re wise, they show up at events like this to get their name in front of YTB Website Owners. And the best critics can do is tell stories of how they disapprove. That’s what happens when stunts like last year fall flat and illusions of this last years Convention being YTB’s last are proven not only to be unfounded, but our model and company as a far more formidable foe than they ever imagined.

And while critics show an obvious level of anger and bitterness over what they’re drinking, YTB is ready to serve cold, thirst quenching glasses of Kool-aid the next 4 days that doesn’t produce the sourness and bitterness that critics can’t seem to get out of their batch. You would think they might find another recipe, but then again, some actually think sewer water is fine.

It’s fun to watch.

Nuts, now I’m late for class.

Remember to check back to for more updates, live from Convention! (It’s actually here! Who knew?!)

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While we’ve reported news about YTB the last few months, we found a formula and a tool for taking the announcements at Convention and share it not only to the rest of YTB, but the industry as a whole. The frenzy on the internet during the California settlement, the Travel Weekly Power List, and again last week when Judge Murphy threw out the class action was impressive.

Because we believe this years Convention is so important, the announcements so big, the industry needs to know that YTB is back in force. Therefore, we will have two special editions of our newsletter coming to you after Friday’s General Session and again Saturday at the close of Convention.

Please note: our newsletter is designed those who are already involved in YTB as an Associate, Website Seller, or Website Owner.

We will release special reports from Convention and provide a complete listing of the day’s events and details concerning the Blockbuster announcements coming out of St. Louis.

We will also release some of the same information here on Just Picture It Now and simultaneously post on Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Stumbleupon, Digg, and other Social Networking tools for the general public. By the end of the weekend, everyone will know who YTB is and what YTB has launched.

Get ready for Blockbuster News Friday and Saturday from JustPictureItNow. If you’re on Facebook, now is also the time to become friends so you can share these announcements. If you’re on Twitter, you can easily re-Tweet this information and help get out the word.

Some left YTB for dead after last years Convention, including some of our own. Our critics should know we have no intention of going anywhere, and our former members should know what they missed while they were gone.

Help spread the word!

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Did you get your “Welcome Package” late last week for Convention?

If you haven’t seen it yet, be on the lookout for it because they are being sent via US Mail to all who have registered. With the Convention right around the corner, we got our hands on a couple of the BOMBSHELL announcements we’ve come to expect every year. In years past things like website upgrades, medical insurance, and the Bill of Rights have been announced.

This year will be no different.

Although we’ve heard that YTB is running out of money, (a new rumor we saw this week after our phone system crashed for about an hour Thursday morning) we caught wind of some new enhancements to pay to the field for both Website Sellers and Travel Store Owners.

Late last year, our Board of Directors suggested that in order to preserve the solvency for EVERYONE in the company, and because a these bonuses were being paid regardless of qualification, the company put a hold on the Director Bonus Program. After many changes, cutbacks, and redistribution of other funds, the Director Compensation is back.

The New Director Compensation is as follows:

a. All qualified Directors, regardless of level, receive a $2,000 Director check on July 20 and August 20.
b. Beginning September 20 (and subsequent months), checks will be issued on the following schedule:

(1) Level 1 Qualified Directors – $2,000
(2) Level 2 Qualified Directors – $4,000
(3) Level 3 Qualified Directors – $8,000
(4) Level 4+ Qualified Directors – $12,000

In addition to the Directors Compensation, there will be additional compensation announced at Convention for qualified Coach’s Corner Members of a “10% Performance Bonus”. This bonus will include your entire organization to the next qualified Coach’s Corner Member. The additional 10% will include all commissions paid to your organization for both Aisle19 (shopYTB) and travel commissions.

Although the travel industry has been in a tizzy over what it claims can not be more than a two way split of commissions, (that being the Agent, and the Host) the industry has been unable to produce, and we have been unable to verify any documentation or legal precedence that requires commissions be split only two ways. (In other words, it’s one of those “unwritten rules” in the industry.) Therefore, similar to the “$50 Bonus” we now receive that replaced the “$50 Reimbursement” of our web site fee with maintaining 6 additional Travel Stores, we will once again pay the “10% Override” in travel sales as a “10% Performance Bonus”.

The company realizes that it needs to incentivize team training and education when it comes to travel. This field training got YTB to where it is, (the 25th largest Seller of Travel in the Nation) and YTB is determined to reward those how help others learn and become successful sellers of travel.

Speaking of Travel Sales, would you like to learn how you can earn 100% commission on tavel? While we don’t know the exact details at this time, you will find out at Convention how to apply and train to receive an additional 30-40% on all your personal travel sales to with a 100% Commission Contract. We have also been told that as a Coach’s Corner Member, if you or anyone in your organization upgrades and qualifies for the 100% Commission Contract, your “10% Performance Bonus” will still be paid from those contracts.

The Franchising option we are currently working on for YTB also gave way to a new program that will allow a payment plan to get started as a TSO for $99.95. Website Sellers who sell this plan will receive 20% upfront and receive even more commissions over the 7 month installment plan by the new TSO. Associates who refer anyone to this plan will also receive their $50 for their referral.

There have also been many questions about the Aisle19 program and when the commissions will be paid. These are the “Downline Commissions”, not the “Cash Back” you have already received from personal purchases.

Aisle19 will officially change to shopYTB during the Convention and the commissions will be paid as follows:

a. January-March site owners 50% commissions will appear on the July 25 travel check.
b. January-March overrides will be included on the August 11 residual check.
c. April-current site owner 50% commissions will be in the August 25 travel check.
d. April-current overrides will be a part of the September 11 residual check.

While the process has taken some time, it looks to be “all systems go”, thanks to the fine work and co-operation between YTB and Aisle19.

Lastly, to answer your questions about bringing a guest to Convention, all you’ll need to do is accompany them through the registration booth at the America’s Center. YTB will have a convention bag and other materials ready for them! We are looking forward to seeing you and your guest in only 9 days!

Bring it on!

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

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For those who went to the 2008 Convention last summer, or if you’ve been to a Red Carpet Day over the last year, you are aware of YTB’s work with Flags4Vets. Fred Moore and Linda Brown head up Flags4Vets and YTB has supported this fine organization through contributions from our Reps and RTA’s.

Since YTB began it’s outreach with Flags4Vets at the 2008 Convention, YTB has provided enough donations to supply over 75,000 flags in support of this enormous undertaking.

Flags4Vets is a non profit organization that believes it is our duty as citizens (as opposed to the Government) to privately fund all the U.S. flags for Military grave sites all over the world to honor those who served our Country. Some of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice. We are proud that we have been able to support this noble cause of the U.S. Flag for those who have secured the freedoms we enjoy today.

Flags4Vets relies on support through public outreach programs to the general public, schools, scouting groups, and other organizations with similar interests. If you would like to donate for this worthy and honorable cause, you can do so from their web site. Donations are tax deductible.

You will also find the piece below in GoodDay@YTB. This daily communication sent to the field was started not long ago by Andy Cauthen, our President and COO of YTB. Andy has taken on this task and has done an exceptional job with his “90 Seconds” of wisdom and leadership. I look forward to reading this e-mail every morning and find it an invaluable tool. It engages the right mindset because it provides quotes that not only inspire, but teach. The stories, messages, and quotes found there are in vast contrast to the bathroom wall material you sometimes find on the internet. Undoubtedly, GoodDay@YTB is a far better use of time and energy.

When thinking about Flags4Vets last week, I contacted Andy about the number of flags we have been able to supply for this organization. He shared with me what is being sent to the field this morning. I found it very fitting for today and wanted to share with everyone what was sent to him from Fred Moore, the founder of Flags4Vets. I hope you are as proud of “Old Glory” and what it represents as Andy, Flags4Vets, and I am.

My Name is Old Glory

I am the flag of the United States of America.

My name is Old Glory.

I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings.

I stand watch in America’s halls of justice.

I fly majestically over great institutes of learning.

I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world.

Look up! And see me!

I stand for peace – honor – truth and justice.

I stand for freedom

I am confident – I am arrogant

I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners

My head is a little higher

My colors a little truer.

I bow to no one.

I am recognized all over the world.

I am worshipped – I am saluted – I am respected

I am revered – I am loved, and I am feared.

I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years:

Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomatox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy, the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the Philippines, the rice paddies and jungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Guadalcanal

New Britain, Peleliu, and many more islands.

And a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me.

I was there.

I led my soldiers – I followed them.

I watched over them.

They loved me.

I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima.

I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me, and I was proud.

I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free.

It does not hurt, for I am invincible.

I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country, and when it is by those with whom I have served in battle – it hurts.

But I shall overcome – for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stand watch over the uncharted new frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.

I have been a silent witness to all of America’s finest hours.

But my finest hour comes when I am torn into strips to be used for bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle,

When I fly at half mast to honor my soldiers,

And when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother at the graveside of her fallen son.

I am proud.

My name is Old Glory.

Dear God – Long may I wave.

by Howard Schnauber, Fort Collins, CO
© 1994 the author

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I have some sad news that I found out late yesterday afternoon. Phil Davidoff of Davidoff Associates has left us. You may remember both Phil and Doris from this past National Convention or a Seminar @ Sea they hosted this past December. Their understanding and acceptance of the YTB model won praise from many in our company and I am saddened to see him go so soon.

He past away Thursday morning in his home in Boca Raton, FL from pneumonia. He was 68.

Phil Davidoff, CTC, CTIE, MCC, was a leading travel industry professional who was also active in travel and tourism marketing, education and training. He was President of VALU Travel Marketing, Inc., the travel industry’s only consultiumsm from 1992 to 1997 and is co-founder and owner since 1969 of Belair Travel & Cruises and Fan Club Cruises in Florida. He was president of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) from October 1990 through September 1992 and had served as vice-president and president-elect prior to that. He also served on ASTA’s staff as Vice President Education & Training from 1982-1984.

Phil was a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC), Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE) and Life Member of The Travel Institute (formely ICTA) and had earned the Master Cruise Counselor (MCC) designation from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). He also served as a member of the tourism faculties of The George Washington University and Northern Virginia Community College.

Phil was a co-author with his wife of more than 40 years, Doris, of many books, and had been a presenter of a variety of seminars for many travel organizations.

Phil was chosen as 1991 Travel Person of the Year by Travel Agent magazine and was co-recipient with his wife, Doris, of Travel Trade magazine’s 1991 Travel Agent of the Year award. He was also co-recipient, with his wife, of the first annual Achievement Award from the Society of Travel & Tourism Educators in 1988. Phil served as a Director-at-Large on the Board of Directors of the Travel Industry Association of America from 1991 through 1993.

Phil held a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and had completed extensive graduate studies in Human Resource Development at The George Washington University.

Doris Davidoff told Travel Weekly she will phase out the cruise business and continue consulting. Phil is also survived by two sons, a daughter and five grandchildren.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

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The General Session opens this morning for the 2008 National Convention. The last two days have been spent in training classes from some of our Directors that have been exceptional to say the least. While everyone here is aware of the carefully orchestrated events that started this week in an attempt to dampen our National Convention, after a couple of days of looking around at the crowds here (some 18,000 so far just for Training) the mood is extremely upbeat.

The plan to insert fear and doubt here in St. Louis is noticeably absent, and quite honestly, I’ve seen more of a steely eyed smirk on most of the faces here. Anyone who reads this case and knows anything about the Network Marketing industry knows and understands the common catch phrases used by “critics” who buy into all the myths, rumors, and hearsay about our industry.

It really doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the holes. I asked a question here on Wednesday about how much money a small group lost. Maybe I missed it due the fact that I really haven’t had much time to look, but me thinks just like everything else that is presented that brings home facts instead of spin and hype, they ignore key questions and deflect to something they can spin.

Again, it’s been a really busy couple of days, and while I haven’t been able to read much that’s out there from our critics, about all I can tell them at this point is this.

Thanks for sharing and thank you for your concern, but were gonna be just fine.

Honest.

Of course, that won’t register and is probably nothing more than lip service for the few it’s intended for. As history has proven time and time again with our company, critics often have to be shown and not spoken to. I made a list about a month ago of all the times this company was down for the count, out of business, finished, kaput.

Based on that kind of track record, I’d recommend for those of us on the right side of this, to just let them rant and blow their own horns. If they have nothing better to do with their time then point fingers at you, they obviously don’t have anything worth while going on for themselves to keep them occupied. Why would you or anyone want to take the advice from someone who is obviously board, killing time, and/or obsessed with destruction instead of building, creating, or growing?

Which I remind you, growing is exactly what we are doing and why they are trying to stop this company. Facts don’t lie and they see this train coming. Our Annual Report produced $141 Million in revenue and they see our Reps size getting bigger and bigger. They see $414.5 Million in travel sales, with 83% growth which means their piece of the pie getting smaller and smaller. Fear of loss is a HUGE motivator.

Again, I’ve been able to read very little concerning our critics right now, but I think it’s save to say that the arrogance and victory from these self proclaimed judges and jury right now across the board is premature. They seem to miss the fact that it’s really not up to them to decide this case as it goes to court. They don’t have to power to decide for you, and while they would like you to believe that this will be decided in the court of public opinion, California needs to decide in our Judicial System which in this Country states the we are “innocent until proven guilty”.

Network Marketing folks has a target on it’s back, and if you don’t believe me, just take a look at how USANA and Herbalife were attacked this last year. (And more importantly, where they are now!) All the talk right now is nothing more than and attempt to bring you down to a level we chose to rise above when we joined our respective companies.

Here’s a little exercise I learned a couple days ago during the training that I want to try on you. See if you can finish these sentences for me.

Money doesn’t grow on _________.
Rich people are ________________.
If it sounds too good to be true, ___ _____________ ___.
It’s is better to give than _____________.
Get a good education, get good grades, and find a good ______.
Money doesn’t buy _______________.

Notice how you’ve been able to finish every one of those sentences? And they say WE’RE the ones who are “brain washed”! The garbage you’re reading on the internet right now came from the same people who gave you the answers to the sentences above.

I will not only readily, but GLADLY tell any one of the arrogant and self absorbed bunch of critics that yes, my brain has been washed from the filth and garbage they’ve attempted to implant in my head since I first took breath on this earth. That’s what washing and cleansing does.

Dah!

I got a chance to see some of what is going to be rolled out over the next few days last night at the Coach’s Corner Dinner. A group the size of our National Convention 2 years ago with over 4000 in attendance with people who helped build this business for the same price a couple of our critics paid a few weeks ago. I’m not going to leak what was said, what is going to be rolled out, or what we have to look forward too at this time. (Based on the numbers I saw coming in last night, there are too many of you with this company already here to see first hand this morning.)

Liberty and Travel for All is our theme this year. From the looks of it, we’re ready to celebrate what this company has achieved, what we have overcome, and the direction we are going. Make no mistake, YTB is on the map folks and if by chance, you are not here in St. Louis today, head on over to any newsstand and book store and take a gander at who is on the front cover of the Saturday Evening Post this month.

It’s a good read, and I think everyone might want to take a look at just who the California AG is up against when it comes to making false and misleading claims about his company and his people. If it aint true don’t say it. If it aint right don’t do it.

Is it any wonder we feel awfully proud of who we are and what we are doing?

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

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